In this episode, I sit down with Audrey Lee, mediator at Boston Law Collaborative, lecturer at Harvard Law School, and author of Navigating Conflict at Work for a conversation about mediation, negotiation, and the skills leaders need to handle workplace conflict.

Audrey and I discuss why mediation is not just for legal disputes and how leaders are often acting as informal mediators without even realizing it. We explore the importance of looking beyond people's positions to understand their underlying interests, concerns, and motivations.

We also talk about the power of listening, curiosity, and relationships in resolving conflict. Audrey explains how the ladder of inference shapes the stories we tell ourselves, and why challenging our assumptions can open the door to more productive conversations.

Our discussion also covers the role of emotions, the importance of reframing difficult situations, and how leaders can recognize when it's time to bring in a professional mediator. Audrey shares practical advice on choosing the right mediator and understanding what mediation can realistically accomplish.

This conversation is a reminder that effective conflict resolution is not about having all the answers. It's about listening carefully, understanding what matters to people, and creating the conditions for them to move forward.

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